that crippled the city. still, as homelessness and aids soared in the '80s, his response was criticized. and the city was roiled by racial tensions amid the beating deaths of two black teenagers at the hands of white gangs. during the 1988 presidential campaign, koch ignited controversy saying jews "would be crazy" to vote for jesse jackson. but koch told the "macneil- lehrer newshour's" charlayne hunter gault jackson was provoking people. >> i've been the mayor here for 11 years. for ten years, prior to this particular period, we've had no difficulty in this city as it relates to civil disturbance. what he is in fact conjuring up is that the summer that he came here, there might be civil disturbance. that's what he's saying-- fire in the theatre. i don't think that's very nice of him to do. >> sreenivasan: koch left office in 1989 after losing the democratic primary to david dinkins. current new york mayor michael bloomberg reflected on koch's legacy today. >> and when we mourn his passing, ed really-- we a